Another "Terrific Kid"

At the kids school, and several other in the district, Kiwanis Club has a program where they recognize "Terrific Kids". There is a character trait highlighted and the class picks 2-3 kids that display that quality. This weeks word was INQUISITIVE. So appropriate that Jennifer got to represent her class and talk about why/how her class is inquisitive. She indeed is an inquisitive girl. She was so proud and her face showed her beaming smile all morning. When it was her turn at the mic she was a bit nervous and hesitated a bit, but stopped and closed her eyes to recall what she was to share  and did a fantastic job! "Mrs M's class is inquisitive because we want to know everything about everything." Said with her adorable accent! To think that she only began learning English at the beginning of September and this morning she was speaking in the front of her entire school-I am amazed. 

You would think it would be safe to say that as her mommy I was the one who enjoyed this moment the most but I had/have some competition in that area. Not only were her siblings so proud of her-they encouraged her and helped her practice her line all morning-and they never chimed in with the comment "I have already been a Terrific Kid".  Their kindergarten teacher Mrs M. loves my children like they are her own-we are so blessed! She delights in each of their achievements.  I think her smile might have been as big as Jennifer's this morning :) There were two in attendance this morning that surprised our Ghanian Princess and made her day. The last picture here is of her God Parents, as you can see from her smile she loves them just a little bit. They will always hold a special place in Jennifer's life and we are forever grateful for that. Mitch ('He's the boy' as Jennifer pointed out to her teacher) witnessed the moment God placed Jennifer in our lives and thankfully documented those moments with a bunch of pictures. Missy ('She's the girl' as she proudly told her teacher) journeyed to Ghana with me in August and was 'my rock' among one of the toughest weeks of my life as we gained guardianship of Jennifer and moved her to a boarding school when were unable to bring her home. These two have spent countless hours listening, talking, encouraging and praying for us throughout our adoption journey. Thanks for making her day and mine too!

Coils....

Before Jennifer's arrival the word 'coil' only referred to something in Dad's business. Now it means a hairstyle :) As you can see from the pic someone is thinking she looks pretty good-which of course she does! She wanted hair just like Danielle Robinson, and for those of you who do not follow OU Women's basketball-she is quite a remarkable young woman who has won over Jennifer's heart. Thanks to her, we went to a sweet woman who did J's hair this afternoon and taught me A LOT!! This hairstyle is SO much faster than the braids and one I think I can actually do-woo hoo!!! 

Perhaps even better than the beaming smile on Jennifer's face was watching all four of our kids interact when they saw her new do. Their comments were so precious-singing praises about how beautiful she looked. Her brother wrapped her up in a big hug-so sweet! They treated her like a princess with such genuine love. Made me very proud and saved this blog from being a little 'rant' about the sibling bickering which took place this afternoon.

Tulips or Toilets

My favorite flower is a tulip. Yeah for spring 'cause they are blooming all over and even in my own yard!!! I planted some several years and a few less kids ago under our pine trees in the front yard. The last year or two not as many have bloomed. But thanks to the great ice storm last winter turning both are huge, tall pine trees into pencil sticks-there must be plenty of light and no pine needles to try and grow through. All that to say-I have my favorite flower growing right outside my door. The other day when they started blooming I squealed in delight. Jennifer was trying to figure out what I was so excited about and when I said the "tulips" she heard the "toilets" and kept looking around the yard saying "What!?!?" Finally when I took her to the tulips and said it about a dozen more times I think she finally figured out the difference in the words. Of course lots of giggles were had by all :) I was taking a picture of just the tulips which also seemed strange to J so she offered to be in the pics too-never misses an opportunity to be in the spotlight.

A fun little car conversation....

After a trip to Sam's with five little helpers (we had a friend in tow, too) we were chatting about what to do with our last day of Spring Break. Which I guess made Big Sister to think about the future and she asked............So what do you want to be when you grow up?

Big Sister's response a veterinarian or a marine trainer (no surprises there)

Kade's answer seems to change the most, today it is an Astronaut. I think this is because of a recent 'space unit' at school-complete with space stations and astronaut suits.

Jennifer chimed in quickly with a passionate "I want to be just like Mrs. M", her kindergarten teacher. (I am sure one particular blog reader has a big smile on her face :)

The princess is not too sure what she wants to be-sometimes she just mimics Big Sister (even though she does not have the love of animals Big Sister has) I think she said a "babysitter" which I am not sure where she gets that idea since they rarely experience one-thanks to Grandparents and friends, she also said a vet and a teacher and a few other things.

Mom's turn.......my answer was greeted with giggles "I am not too sure what I want to be when I grow up." A few of the responses I got "You are grown up....right?" "You are a mom" "You're in charge of the kids at church.......you GET to play with kid's at church"

So who knows what we all be when we grow up, I guess in the mean time we will just keep playing.

Another great day!

We have had another fun day playing in the pool, visiting an aquarium, enjoying the sunshine along the river walk and ending the evening listening to a little acoustic music while eating dinner with an amazing couple. For those of you who don't know Rob (the guy in the pic) is Kade's God Father and the two have such a special bond. We are so blessed to have such a Godly man in his life, someone he truly admires and looks up to. And we have have a bonus now that he is married to a precious women, Heather-two wonderful role models. They are expecting their first baby this summer and I am not sure who is more excited me or Kade. He is such a baby lover and now he will have a "God Sister" who he is already claiming as a wonderful baby. An amazing couple who have endured so much in their time together-always giving glory and honor to God-living a life of service, continually encouraging all who enter their lives, simply two wonderful people. We are so glad we have been able to spend time with them tonight and last night and they have been able to meet and get to know our newest family member, one whom they have prayed for so often. God indeed is so good and we are so thankful He has blessed our lives with Rob and Heather. We have one more night in a hotel room overflowing with us all :) and we get to share a meal with another great family tomorrow. Eight kids at one table all from two families-should be fun ;) or at least entertaining. 

Spring Break

As Tony and I were watching our children swim and play in the pool this evening (yes we were watching-didn't think that day would ever come-we were done in the water of course they were not) we were in awe about our FOUR kids. Last spring break we had 3 and no plans of having a fourth in the near future. Now we have a Ghanian princess who is vacationing in a hotel with elevators and an indoor pool and many other things that are still so new to her. Today we were all able to experience Jennifer's first swim (or at least we all think it was). She did amazingly well. This little girl who has grown up to think getting in water equals death conquered any fear she had and after a minute or two you would have thought she had been in a pool a million times. She 'swam' all over the pool putting her face in, going under, jumping in and going down the slides all while smiling from ear to ear. We have added another 'fish' to the family. I think this summer will include many hours spent in pools. we are having a blast on our mini vacation, and it's only the first evening.

SO PROUD!

Jennifer had to get another round of shots today, and let's just say neither one of us were looking forward to it. The last round included me basically laying on her and by the end of the day her legs didn't 'work'-or so she tried to make her teacher believe. (btw-thanks for being sympathetic-wonderful Kind. teacher, would rather error on the side of sympathy) Which I must say she is quite the skilled actor. However, she was 'miraculously' healed when faced with the possibility of missing church and staying home to nurse her legs back to health. All that to say, I was a bit dreading this morning. Trying my hardest to see if some other caring adult wanted to take my place-no takers-what a shock. So armed with prayer I faced the appointment accompanied by the Princess, whom I tried to prepare her for what she would probably see and hear from Jennifer. She was very cooperative throughout the check up and told the doctor she knew she was going to be getting 4 shots and was not thrilled with that idea and tried to protest. I must admit I was really trying to prepare myself for a 'fight' with another holding down of my child. However, what started as a bit of a struggle turned into a moment that I am so proud of her. I asked her to look at my eyes-something she hears often-and held her hands then put my face cheek to cheek with hers and asked her to close her eyes. The nurse was great about telling her what she was doing-rubbing the alcohol on and a "quick poke" and worked very fast. Our little girl did not shed a tear-not one!!! I am sure the whole office could hear us celebrating her accomplishment and how brave she had been. What a total change from our last experience. She faced a tough situation-maintained control and conquered in a big way. We then went out for a celebratory lunch-where else other than Ckik-Fila for her favorite chicken and french fries(not rice) complete with dipping it all in SALSA!! So proud of her! and I am hoping for another successful trip next month-yep more to come.

Life with 4 women

A post by Tony............Of all the changes in our house the last few months one that Kade and I have definitely noticed is the amount of estrogen in the house.  The scary part is that it is only going to get worse:)  Kade and I have decided to do "manly" things so as to help the only two boys deal with all the girls.  A typical 'man day' for the two of us usually has something to do with a tractor, fork lift, learning to drive a truck in the pasture, welding, and definitely getting dirty.  Between the two of us we have mastered an art held by the Waggoners' men for centuries, disappear for an entire day and convince yourself your busy, but at the end of the day typically not accomplishing much.  Oh well, we all have our God given gifts!

 A few weeks ago I spoke with Kade on a Saturday morning, one in which daddy had left him to go to "work."  He informed me that there were "to many women in the house, could I come and get him."  Through my laughter I told him of course and quickly rescued my one and only son.  I am just thankful we are such good buddies, I am looking forward to more days where we Waggoner Men can do what we do best, piddle.  

*Note from JJ-I picked a picture to go withthese 3 Waggoner men are so much alike it is almost scary at times-but I guess seeing how great my father-in-law is I can deal with their "God given gifts". And for those of you who know my father-in-law, yes he is much taller than Tony(who is standing on a crate) and Kade (who is standing on an AC unit) this was a picture I took for the giant billboard that was up in town a few months back :)

Camping

The weather has been absolutely wonderful the last few days. So I thought I would share what it makes me think of ......... camping- I found some pics of a camping trip last year with some of our friends to share. We have so much fun spending time living outside in God's beautiful creation. Such fond memories of explorations, campfires and great food! We love being outside-hope this weather lasts a few more days.

On another note-our spring break plans have changed :( we are trying to decide what to do-any ideas?